The Irish standard., 1887-02-19
MCCARTHY ON HOME RULE.

The Famous Irish Historian, Novelist, Poll-
tician and Journalist. Presents the
Claims Of His Country.
HIS GREAT LECTURE IN CHICAGO.
A Large and Fashionable Audience Listens
With Rapt Attention While He De-
scribes the Wrongs Of Ireland.
Home rule for Ireland! This was the
watch-word and battle-cry at the big
meeting at Central Music Hall, Chi
cago, Tues lay evening, February 8.
Not less that $500 people were there,
all of them brimful Of sympathy with
the movement for Irish independence
and all of them animated by a desire to
do honor to Ireland's patriot, novelist.
historian, politician and journalist,
Justin Mccarthy. It was only a lee
ture-a lecture on the trite subject of
s.Home Rule'-but the lecture and the
lecturer were sufficient to attract an
assemblage of representative citizens
of all creeds and classes, an audience
of which the most popular favorite
might we'll be proud. All of the pro-
minent local sympathizers with the
cause of Ireland were present. the audi
ence including large number of Cath
olic and other clergymen. Among
those in the parquette seats were Mayor
Harrison, the Rev. S. j. Mcpherson.
Father Cleary, Father Riordan, w. j.
Hynes, G. H. Case, Arthur Dixon.
Denis OConnor, Alexander Sullivan
and John Finnerty. The lecture was
given under the auspices of the Cen
tral Women's Christian Temperance
Union, and the proceeds ds-wh1ch aggre-
gated nearly $2,00O-were for the bene-
fit of tho many charities conducted by
that very worthy organization. 1t was
SIS when Mr.. Mccarthy, accompanied
by the chairman for the evening, Mr..
Joseph Medill, stepped upon the plat
form, their appearance being the signal
for a hearty round Of applause. Two
chairs, small table, and q large bou-
quet of roses and Gala lilies we're the
sole embellishments Of the platform.
Mr.. Mccarthy is a rather smatl-stzed
intellectual looking man, with a point
ed gray beard. steel-gray hair, and red
dish complexion. He was attired in
evening dress, with a liberal expanse
of white shirt front, Byronic collar,
and lavender necktie. He is fluent,
easy speaker, his style being conversa-
tional and devoid Of gesture or any
thing theatrical. He has a marked
Irish accent-a Corkonian or South of
Ireland accent-which is more pleasing
than otherwise. "..-
Mr.. Medill. in his brief Introductory
address, referred to the lecturer as one
of the most distinguished of living
Irishmen, an opinion which the audi
ence warmly indorsed. The reference
to Mr.. McCarthy's journalistic support
of the cause of the Union in the Amerl-
can Civil War also drew forth vigorous
applause, as did the prospective pic
ture of ''joy, bread and freedom" for
lhe down-trodden Irish peasantry.
Mr.. McCarthy's lecture, which lasted
about two hours, was listened to
throughout with rapt attention, and
punctuated with well-merited rounds
of applause. 1t was an eloquent and
wonderfully interesting story Of the
struggles of Ireland for independence
the rebellion of '98, the emancipa-
tion of Catholics. the Young Ire.
land rebellion, the Isaac Butt move
ment, and the energetic work under
the leadership of Parnell being given
especial prominence. The comical story
of the construction tactics of the lit
tie 'tParnell party of six years ago. was
thoroughly enjoyed, as were also the
humorous references to the many pig
headed British officials that England
has chosen to represent her in Ireland.
Mr.. Mccarthy said:
ssMR. CHAIRMAN AND LADIES AND
GENTLEMEN: I could not but feel
deeply touched by the kindly words in
which the Chairman introduced my
name to your attention and by the
warm and generous way in which you
responded to the mention of that name.
The Chairman, in the eloquent and
clear words which he spoke, showed q
fundamental knowledge of the cause of
Ireland, which, in some degree, antici-
pates the words that have to speak to
you tonight.
81 have come to tell you something
about the national cause of Ireland.
Some of you might reasonably ask me
to put in some form of definition.
What is the national cause of Irelandp
What is the demand which Ireland now
makes through her Parliamentary re-
representatives. on the English Imperial
Parliament, and on the conscience, and
on the reason of the English people?
Qo,, ~, - o1,o ;rrn IN hoe ooi1 uyo11 thot 0r